Middletown (pop: 51,185; metro: 350,000) is the home of AK Steel. The steel city of Ohio is more blue collar than its twin Hamilton to the south and isn't as "pretty" but is more real. With a streetscape makeover for the downtown area, the Sorg Opera House (Middletown is the smallest city in America with its own opera house), and even a downtown airport, Middletown showcases the real industry in Ohio yet also holds its own in terms of class. The Sorg House is a wonderful mansion within Middletown's historic old town. It got its name after its central location between Dayton and Cincinnati. Â